Prep Roundup: Four Atascadero wrestlers headed to state

Atascadero High wrestler Michael Clemmensen didn’t perform as well as he wanted at the CIF-Southern Section individual meet a week ago.

The 103-pounder wasn’t satisfied with his fifth place finish but knew he had one more shot to prove to himself at the Master’s Meet in Temecula.

“He expected to be higher than fifth at the CIF meet,” Atascadero coach Jeff Spiller said. “When it didn’t happen, he didn’t complain or make excuses. He went out, worked hard and did what he does and that paid off.”

After dropping his first match at the meet, Clemmensen won six in a row to claim ninth place and advance to the CIF state meet beginning Friday in Bakersfield.

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Of the more than 500 schools represented, Atascadero finished ninth with 59.5 points.

Joining Clemmensen in Bakersfield are Josh Lowe (fourth at 135), Paul Woodman (ninth at 140) and Elijah Jackson (fifth at 145).With more than half of his seven wrestlers qualifying for the state meet, Spiller said he was satisfied with the result.

“Mathematically, there are 30 guys in a tournament and six of them are CIF champions,” Spiller said. “Only nine of them get to go on (to the state meet). You’d like to get every wrestler through, but mathematically it’s not going to happen.”

Other area schools were present at the meet including Paso Robles and Morro Bay. Neither school had a wrestler advance to the state meet.

Morro Bay’s Aaron Mininni won two matches at the tournament while Bearcats freshman Kevin Garcia finished 10th, one win shy of advancing.

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GIRLS BASKETBALL

North County Christian 54, Apple Valley Christian 26

The Crusaders (18-5) advanced to the CIF-Southern Section Division 6A championship game for the second time in school history. The first time was 2003.

Cristy Scarson had 20 points, 12 steals and four assists for North County Christian, which has never won a Southern Section title.